The Fannin High School Lady Rebels flag footballers dominated it’s first game in the state playoffs Thursday, December 4 at home. The Lady Rebels played Mays County and defeated them 20-6.
Fannin advanced to the Sweet 16 in the team’s third season the same night and faced 6A squad Grovetown High School and unfortunately, the season came to an end with a 28-7 loss.
To reach the Sweet 16, the Lady Rebels moved past Mays County easily. Fannin scored on it’s opening drive. Fannin drove down the field 66 yards on seven plays for a touchdown.
Annaleigh Cheatham ran the ball five times in the drive. She had four rushes of 14, four, six and 21-yards, then she scored the touchdown from three yards out. Ayla Walton caught a Kendall Gaddis pass for seven yards in the drive and Gaddis ran a keeper for 11 yards. Cheatham also scored the extra point to give Fannin the lead 7-0.
Fannin’s defense led by Jordan Golden shut Mays down quickly on it’s opening drive. After a quick Fannin drive and punt, Mays was able to find the end zone its only time with seconds to go in the first quarter on an eight play 76 yard drive. Fannin led 7-6 at the first quarter buzzer.
Fannin had a solid drive to open the second quarter which included a six-yard rush by Walton, and a six yard reception by Lexi Gravley and 18-yard reception by Lola Temples.Gaddis and Cheatham each had short runs. Fannin was forced to punt.
Fannin’s defense took over from that point. Karli Sams, Bridgett Allen, Adia Galloway, and McKenzie Duvall held Mays to a four-and-out punt.
Offensively, Fannin scored a second time with seconds to go in the first half. The 57-yard
five-play drive featured a Walton run for six yards, an 18-yard reception to Lynnex Patterson from Gaddis, a direct snap rush by Cheatham for seven yards, and a 10-yard reception by Gravley. Gravley scored the touchdown on a two-yard reception from Gaddis. Cheatham scored the extra point. Fannin led 14-6.
After a Mays punt, Fannin had another solid drive of 48 yards, but didn’t find the end zone. In the drive, Gravley had six, 11, and-eight-yard receptions and Cheatham had a six yard rush.
Halle Walton intercepted a Mays pass on their next drive. Mays stopped Fannin on it’s next drive, then Galloway intercepted a Mays pass with 1:52 to go in the game.
The Lady Rebels found the end zone one more time to finish off Mays County in the fourth quarter. Runs by Cheatham of five and two yards were followed by a 48-yard touchdown run by Patterson.
In the game with Grovetown, Grovetown’s defense was solid. After a quick Fannin punt, Grovetown scored first with 1:39 left in the first quarter. After another Fannin punt, Grovetown scored again. Another Fannin punt was followed by Grovetown’s third score. They led 21-0 at halftime.
Grovetown scored again at the beginning of the third quarter to lead 28-0.
Fannin scored it’s only time in the fourth quarter. An eight-yard Gaddis pass to Patterson started the drive. Walton scored the touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Gaddis. Temples provided the extra point.
Fannin finishes the season at 12-3 and 7-0 in Division 2 Area 7 region. They won the region championship against Dawson County.
As a team, the three losses were to 6A schools, including Grovetown.
Defensively Fannin had 18 sacks. Karli Sams tied the season single sack record of 11. As a team, Fannin had 304 tackles. Allen led the team with 60 total tackles. Allen also led with six interceptions.
Offensively for the season, Cheatham had over 1,000 all purpose years. She rushed for 707 yards on 121 carries. She also caught 44 passes for 305 yards. She had 10 touchdowns. Gaddis threw 246 passes for 1,809 yards and 25 touchdowns. Patterson was the top receiver in 2025 with 63 receptions for 605 yards. She had 10 touchdowns. On the ground, Patterson was 30-for-363 yards and five touchdowns.
“It has truly been an honor to coach these girls, and I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished together,” said Head Coach Dawson King.
King said the seniors’ leadership, work ethic, and belief in what we’re building set the standard for what it means to be a Lady Rebel. “They’ve laid a foundation that will last for years.”